smitty0312 Posted March 6, 2018 Report Share Posted March 6, 2018 (edited) I upgraded my T8 fluorescent shop lights with new energy-efficient long lasting LED fixtures ...... these are supposed to last 50,000 hours, if I average six hours a day seven days a week in the shop, these will last me right at almost 23 years ...... I will be 76 years old that time ......so they should be the last lights I buy..... Edited March 6, 2018 by smitty0312 new2woodwrk, stoney, Lucky2 and 3 others 5 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WayneMahler Posted March 6, 2018 Report Share Posted March 6, 2018 Been thinking about upgrading mine. I have T12 and T5 lighting in the shop now. Nice looking work area for you there. smitty0312 and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted March 6, 2018 Report Share Posted March 6, 2018 1 hour ago, smitty0312 said: I upgraded my T8 fluorescent shop lights with new energy-efficient long lasting LED fixtures ...... these are supposed to last 50,000 hours, if I average six hours a day seven days a week in the shop, these will last me right at almost 23 years ...... I will be 76 years old that time ......so they should be the last lights I buy..... Take the time to slap a coat of white paint on the walls and ceiling. You'll be amazed at how much more light you will have. Ray smitty0312, Scrolling Steve and stoney 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
meflick Posted March 6, 2018 Report Share Posted March 6, 2018 Dan, I'm thinking that if they last that long, which you indicate will take you to 76 - then you need to figure that they will NOT be the last lights you buy for your shop. My FIL, who is presently 90, and still hiking in the Smokies would tell you that 76 is Young so you might want to plan a second set for another 23 years that would take you to 99. kmmcrafts, WayneMahler, NC Scroller and 2 others 3 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 3 hours ago, meflick said: Dan, I'm thinking that if they last that long, which you indicate will take you to 76 - then you need to figure that they will NOT be the last lights you buy for your shop. My FIL, who is presently 90, and still hiking in the Smokies would tell you that 76 is Young so you might want to plan a second set for another 23 years that would take you to 99. Yeah, I'll be 75 next month so I might get my money's worth out some if I buy them now. But, they will be pricey as I have 7 double light fixtures in my little shop. Oh well, I guess I can't take it with me. Ray stoney, smitty0312 and meflick 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kmmcrafts Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 (edited) When I built my shop in 2012.. I bought the T8 fixtures.. but then put in LED bulbs these here.. https://www.menards.com/main/electrical/light-bulbs/led-light-bulbs/sylvania-reg-48-17w-equivalent-linear-daylight-t8-led-bulb-replacement/75062-75042/p-1456889156784-c-7482.htm?tid=7405467454301585160&ipos=2 In 2015 my friend bought from LED light fixtures.. sealed unit I think as he couldn't change the bulb... his stopped working already and he works a full time with overtime job so those lights didn't get much hours before they stopped working.. they had a 5 year warranty.. he took them back and Menards replaced them no questions.. I personally like the option of replaceable bulbs especially when you have different color temp options etc.. I'll never buy a sealed unit unless there is not any other option, LOL Edited March 7, 2018 by kmmcrafts OCtoolguy and WayneMahler 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amazingkevin Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 10 hours ago, smitty0312 said: I upgraded my T8 fluorescent shop lights with new energy-efficient long lasting LED fixtures ...... these are supposed to last 50,000 hours, if I average six hours a day seven days a week in the shop, these will last me right at almost 23 years ...... I will be 76 years old that time ......so they should be the last lights I buy..... Lucky you .I have 25' of lights and electric but can't use one foot of it .I'm swamped in wood and personel stuff help help for 2 years now ' smitty0312 and OCtoolguy 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NC Scroller Posted March 7, 2018 Report Share Posted March 7, 2018 I agree with all the above. I know many 80 plus woodworkers. Ray's post is important. My shop has OSB on the walls and ceiling. Painting it white makes a major difference. I applied Kilz and then 2 coats of flat white. I used cheapo builder's paint. Think it was like $35 for a 5 gallon bucket. bobscroll, stoney and OCtoolguy 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sparkey Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 I put some led lights in my shop too. The best part is they dont have to warm up on a cold day. They come on full brightness. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bpardue Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 i agree with painting the ceiling white. I did that and painted a lot of the cabinets white - it helped a ton with lighting but i had one dark spot and added a new LED 4ft strip light in that area. now you can read a newspaper on the floor of the shop bobscroll and OCtoolguy 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted March 9, 2018 Report Share Posted March 9, 2018 11 hours ago, Bpardue said: i agree with painting the ceiling white. I did that and painted a lot of the cabinets white - it helped a ton with lighting but i had one dark spot and added a new LED 4ft strip light in that area. now you can read a newspaper on the floor of the shop That must be kinda uncomfortable OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OCtoolguy Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 1 hour ago, Rockytime said: That must be kinda uncomfortable Not if you're sitting on the John. I told you my shop was small. Barely enough room for the "stool". Ray Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rockytime Posted March 10, 2018 Report Share Posted March 10, 2018 That would be my library. OCtoolguy 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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